Meditation Awareness Training for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Nottingham Trent University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Groups; Behavioral: Meditation Awareness Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02800720

NTU-MATFMS

Details and patient eligibility

About

A Randomised Controlled Trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Intervention known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome.

Full description

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain disorder that frequently leads to poor quality of life. The need for more effective FMS treatments has prompted empirical investigations into the applications of mindfulness for treating the condition. However, studies have predominantly focused on first-generation mindfulness-based interventions (FG-MBIs). To date, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effectiveness of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention (SG-MBI) for treating FMS has not been undertaken. SG-MBIs are distinct from FG-MBIs because they are overtly spiritual in nature and employ (i) a greater range of (normally secularised) meditative/spiritual techniques, (ii) ethics as a key component of the taught programme, and (iii) an instructor training programme that typically requires several years of supervised mindfulness practice.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) - an SG-MBI - for treating FMS.

Method: Adults with FMS will receive MAT or an active control intervention known as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Groups. Assessments will be performed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up phases.

Enrollment: 148 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome
• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Able to read and write using the English language
• Available to complete an eight-week intervention and six-month follow-up assessment

Exclusion criteria

• Currently undergoing formal psychotherapy
• Changes in psychopharmacology type or dosage one-month prior to intervention
• Currently practicing mindfulness or meditation

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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148 participants in 2 patient groups

Meditation Awareness Training

Experimental group

Description:

Target Intervention Arm: 8-week meditation intervention

Treatment:

Behavioral: Meditation Awareness Training

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Groups

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active Comparator Arm: 8-week CBT-based intervention

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Groups